Weis named coach of the year

Published: Monday, January 2, 2006 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, January 1, 2006 at 11:00 p.m.

TEMPE, Ariz. | Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis received the Eddie Robinson Award as the nation’s top college football coach on Sunday.

The award, given by the Football Writers Association of America, was presented at the final Fiesta Bowl news conference. Weis’ Fighting Irish meet Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Monday.

Weis guided Notre Dame to a 9-2 record in his first season at the school after being lured from the New England Patriots, where as offensive coordinator he helped the team win three Super Bowls in four seasons.

“I’ll accept the award, but on behalf of the University of Notre Dame, not on behalf of Charlie Weis," he said.

He praised the school for providing him with the means to be successful.

“It all started after they hired me," Weis said, “giving me the resources to go hire what I feel was the best group of assistant coaches. Those guys, together with me, I thought, provided some pretty good guidence for a great group of kids who really stepped up and had an admirable year."

<p>TEMPE, Ariz. | Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis received the Eddie Robinson Award as the nation’s top college football coach on Sunday.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>The award, given by the Football Writers Association of America, was presented at the final Fiesta Bowl news conference. Weis’ Fighting Irish meet Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Monday.</p><p>Weis guided Notre Dame to a 9-2 record in his first season at the school after being lured from the New England Patriots, where as offensive coordinator he helped the team win three Super Bowls in four seasons.</p><p>I’ll accept the award, but on behalf of the University of Notre Dame, not on behalf of Charlie Weis," he said.</p><p>He praised the school for providing him with the means to be successful.</p><p>It all started after they hired me," Weis said, giving me the resources to go hire what I feel was the best group of assistant coaches. Those guys, together with me, I thought, provided some pretty good guidence for a great group of kids who really stepped up and had an admirable year."</p>